Receiving Back to Goal Under Pressure

Purpose

To improve player's ability to receive the
ball under intense pressure and to turn hips and the ball to goal, ready to take on the
opponent. This includes receiving the ball from a pass, from a goal-kick, a punt, or from
a throw-in.

Introduction

At the 1996 USYSA Nationals, we noticed that one of
the most important demands of the game was for the player to be able to receive the ball,
back to goal, while checking to the ball at full pace under intense pressure, and to
control the ball first time very closely. In addition it was crucial that the player be
able to turn the ball against this pressure and to be able to take on the pressuring
opponent immediately after turning.

Coaching Points for the Attacker

Coming to ball at full pace is crucial. Training at
a slower pace is a waste of time.

Look over the shoulder to find opponent before
receiving ball.

Call for the ball and show, with hands and eyes,
where it is wanted.

Checking back at an angle helps open an angle that
allows the passer to join in with a wall pass off a drop from the attacker.

Coaching Points for the Passer

Passer should interpret attacker's glance over
the shoulder as a visual cue to pass.

Pass early so attacker gets ball before negative
space is killed.

Passer should pass absolutely as hard as possible.

Passes should be direct to the center of the
attacker if the pursuing defender is directly behind. Passes should go to the
attacker's foot on the side away from the pursuing defender if the defender is on the
attacker's side.

Notes for the Coach

Adjust the space for each exercised to the age and
skill level you are teaching.

In a longer session, attacking moves can be added
after turning moves, including body swerve, swivel, scissors, cap, step over, and change
of pace. In a 90 minute session, there is not enough time to include these.

Technical Warm-Up

Receiving the Ball Partners with Ball at 30 Yards Distance

Using kills, traps, and settles, for 60 seconds (then change roles), check away from ball, check back hard to ball, receive ball from

punt

goal-kick

throw-in to chest

throw-in to feet

driven pass on ground

lofted pass

Points

Full pace to ball every time, OK to loaf on the
recovery run to create space.

Accurate, hard service required to allow attacker to
receive at full pace.

Attacker must call for ball.

Attacker must play slightly beyond limit of ability
to make progress.

(Here below is another warm-up progression that you can try which was contributed by Gary Rue who is a high school soccer coach in Kentucky.)

2 v 1 to Target in 10 x 20 Space

Rules

Defender pursues attacker, tries to stop attacker
and server from playing ball to target player.

Attacker and defender alternate roles each ball.

After 60 seconds, server and target player change
roles with attacker and defender.

Attacker not permitted to drop ball back to server,
must turn instead.

Points

Encourage attacker to check back at angle to open up
wall pass.

Enforce checking back at full pace.

Ensure that server passes hard.

Ensure that server moves to support directly from
server's pass.

4 v 4 to Goal Lines in 30 x 40 Space with 3
Zones

Play 2v2 in
final zones. No one starts in middle zone.

Rules

Team maintains possession in first zone until player
from their team checks back into middle third to receive ball.

One defender can pursue attacker checking to ball
into middle zone.

Attacker has to beat defender or get pass to partner
in final third in order to get ball across goal-line.

If opponents win possession of ball before attackers
with ball can play to player checking back, then they try to score in the same way, by
passing to one of their players checking back into space.

Possession changes on any score.

Points

Attacking players should work continuously to be
available to ball.

7 v 7 to Full-Size Goals with Goalkeepers on a
40 x 50 Field

Rules

Play for real, including throw-ins, goal-kicks, and
punts. Call fouls that occur and award free-kicks.

Points

Encourage checking back to the ball at full pace to
receive the ball.

Summary

Playing at the best levels requires great speed of
play and the ability to receive the ball under intense pressure, regardless of the quality
of the service. When comfortable checking back to the ball and receiving at pace, the
players must be encouraged to use this ability as a tool to get free from pressure and to
create space to turn hips to goal in order to attack.

Another Related Warm-Up Progression

This section was contributed by high school coach
Gary Rue, Western Hills H.S., Frankfort, KY.

I appropriated a game warm up by one of my
opponents that would fit well into this training. I will provide what I think the
appropriate training progression should be. Session warm ups should include turns with the
ball and flicks with a spin and go.

Player A is at the near post and drops the ball to a
player (B) about 30 yards out. Player A then checks to the ball and receives a return pass
from B. Player A then turns and shoots. (Key coaching points are the reception touch,
footwork into the shot and a quick look behind before reception to see the location of the
defender and GK .)

In the next step, player B overlaps to the far post
after the pass to A. Player A, flicks the return pass back to B and spins towards goal. B
one-times the shot. (Key coaching points are the quality of the flick, the quality of B's
run, the readiness of B to shoot, the quality of the spin away from ball--note, if the
shot is delayed, player A may move into an offside position.)

In the final step, a defender (C) is added at the
far post. The defender closes down A on the initial drop to B. A must decide whether to
turn and shoot or to flick on to B. (Key coaching points are the decision making of A and
the quality of B's run based somewhat on the defense's reaction.)

At a later time, a defensive focus can be applied
to this activity. Also, vary the GK's position, especially in the early stage, so player A
can practice near post, as well as far post shooting.